Magnitude 7.7 earthquake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning issued

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted eastern Indonesia early Friday, triggering a tsunami warning and prompting evacuations from coastal areas. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake, which struck at a shallow depth off the island of Flores. Its epicenter was located 68 kilometers from the city of Ende in the East Nusa Tenggara province.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of potential tsunami waves ranging from 0.5 to 3 meters. In response, hundreds of residents began moving away from the affected areas. Images broadcast on Indonesian television showed people evacuating and damaged buildings. Residents in Maumere, a city on Flores island, sought higher ground.

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We strongly urge our communities along the northern coast of Flores and in the southern areas, in the southern islands and throughout the southern region, to immediately self-evacuate.

Authorities reported detecting tsunami waves between 19 and 30 centimeters, and no casualties have been confirmed. Nevertheless, Indonesian officials urged residents in coastal zones of Flores to evacuate immediately to higher ground. Abdul Muhari, an official from the national disaster management agency BNPB, strongly advised communities along the northern coast of Flores and southern islands to self-evacuate.

Residents were instructed to move more than two kilometers inland or to elevations above 10 meters. The earthquake's impact and the subsequent evacuation efforts highlight the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the ongoing challenges of disaster preparedness.

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away from the coast, moving more than two kilometers inland or moving to hilly areas more than 10 meters high.